As CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness consolidates most of its services into two nearby locations in north-central Emporia, the mental health agency has received a five-digit grant to continue the transition to a new service model.
CrossWinds has been working for almost a year to shift to what’s called a certified community behavioral health clinic model, and the Tower Mental Health Foundation of Kansas has granted over $12,600 to help CrossWinds offer services to veterans. CrossWinds CEO Amanda Cunningham:
Cunningham says the ACT team is designed to help high-risk residents.
CrossWinds was approved for a two-year, $2.3 million federal grant to move to the CCBHC model early this year. Cunningham says the CCBHC model is designed to integrate all levels of wellness, including physical health, mental wellness, substance abuse and other factors, and to foster collaboration between a wider range of partners than is normal. It also builds an increased crisis response and places a larger emphasis on culturally appropriate services. In addition, it also helps CrossWinds move from a fee-for-service model to a cost-based system for reimbursement purposes.
The Tower Foundation was created after conversations between the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and the Menninger Foundation. Funding for this grant cycle was provided in part by the Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansas.
Meanwhile, CrossWinds continues work to move out of six of its existing local facilities to a combination of the former Emporia State Chi Omega and Earl Center buildings after purchases earlier this year. The Chi Omega building will be used for administation offices and adult therapy services. The Earl Center, meanwhile, will house programs, including work for children, as well as the therapeutic preschool, emergency services, a medication clinic and pharmacy. The goal is to have all services fully moved to their new locations by 2024.
